The Climafix Summit, organized jointly by Energy Alternatives India (EAI) and the Energy Consortium of IIT Madras, served as a pivotal platform for discussions and presentations focused on tackling climate change through innovation. Held against the backdrop of mounting environmental challenges, the summit brought together diverse stakeholders from academia, industry, and startups to explore decarbonization pathways and foster collaboration in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. Panel Discussions and Startup Presentations: A highlight of the summit was the series of panel discussions and st ..read more

At the Climafix Summit 2023, marking a significant stride in the journey towards sustainable energy practices, the summit centered around the unveiling of a groundbreaking report titled ‘Zero to Green.’ Led by Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala and Mr. Anson Sando, the report delves deep into the imperative task of transitioning commercial complexes towards renewable energy sources. Key Takeaways: 1. Economic Viability: A cornerstone of the discussion was the undeniable economic viability of transitioning to renewable energy. Through meticulous analysis, the report underscores how embracing solar a ..read more

The CLIMAFIX Summit 2023’s inauguration session witnessed key figures in climate innovation and academia sharing insights and commitments. Organizers reflected on the summit’s evolution, while speakers like Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala emphasized urgent actions. Collaboration and innovation were central themes, setting the tone for impactful discussions and partnerships over the summit’s duration. From Idea to Impact: Narsi’s Reflection on the CLIMAFIX Summit Journey Narasimhan Santhanam, organizer of the CLIMAFIX Summit, begins by reflecting on the event’s inception, tracing it back to a small i ..read more

The recent spate of eletric vehicle (especially scooter) battery fires has every EV user and prospective user wondering if electric vehicles are as safe as they are promoted to be. Having consulted for the electric mobility sector for over five years, and having had the fortune of interacting with a diverse set of stakeholders – right from a junior engineer to CEOs and senior policy makers – I can share some key insights and take aways. To a very large extent, what differentiates an electric vehicle from a conventional vehicle are the battery and the motor. Pretty much all the other difference ..read more

What is common to the celeb couple Virat Kohli/Anushka Sharma & Genelia/Riteish Deshmukh? Both of them are co-founders / investors in Indian plant-based meat startups. While Virat/Anushka have invested in Blue Tribe, Genelia/Riteish are the co-founders of Imagine Meats. Shows how quickly the plant-based meat sector has grown from an obscure, geeky niche to a high profile market segment. What’s the reason behind this sudden spurt in interest? The protein carbon footprint All proteins are not made the same when it comes to CO2 emissions. The protein carbon footprint – the CO2 ..read more

Engineers – especially really good engineers – are a rather interesting breed. Many of them consider their profession to be far more than just work – they consider it a calling. And a good many of them strongly feel that they are the ones capable solving the world’s major challenges. Well, they now have the biggest challenge to solve – climate change. Indian engineer scenario India graduates about 1.5 million engineering students every year – one of the highest in the world. Cumulatively, there must be over 20 million engineering professionals in India currently. Outside of ..read more

Imagine that you are the CEO of a large corporate with plentiful greenhouse gas emissions. Imagine also that your company has decided to drastically reduce CO2 emissions – say by 50% – over the next five years. That’s when your company’s head of operations, who had been quite silent thus far, starts talking.  He has some pretty bad news for you: there is no way that your firm’s operations can cut down even 10% of emissions – leave alone 50% – over the next five years. What can you do? You can use carbon offsets. Essentially, you can invest in emissions reductions projects elsewhere ..read more

When Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm with over $10 trillion under management, said (check out his talk between 3:28:25 and  3:28:50) that the next 1000 unicorns would be from climate tech, the world was stunned. Was even one of the world’s smartest guys finally falling for hyperbole? How the numbers currently stack up As of mid 2022, globally there are about 50 unicorns that can be said to be pureplay climate tech. I could not find any official numbers on this, but this well compiled list from Climate Tech VC helped me arrive ..read more

Interview with Rajiv Mukherjee, the CEO and co-founder of Incubate Hub, a pioneering force in the realm of corporate innovation. In this insightful discussion, Rajiv sheds light on the unique role Incubate Hub plays in connecting corporates with innovative startups, driving impactful collaborations, and fostering growth in various industries. Explore the origins of Incubate Hub, its journey of driving innovation over the years, and real-life examples of its transformative impact. Narasimhan Santhanam, Director, EAI interviewed, Rajiv Mukherjee, the CEO and co-founder of Incubate Hub. Here are ..read more

In recent years, the urgency to address climate change has ignited innovation in various sectors, particularly in mobility. From electric vehicles to solar-powered ferries, entrepreneurs are leading the charge towards low-carbon transportation solutions. At the CLIMAFIX Summit 2022, a session on low-carbon mobility brought together industry pioneers to discuss their ventures and share insights into decarbonizing mobility for a sustainable future. Entrepreneurs Leading the Charge: The session featured entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, each with a unique approach to tackling the challenge ..read more